Cole Garner hit a three-run homer to punctuate a six-run first inning for the Nashville Sounds, who cruised to a 7-1 win over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Sunday night.

The Sounds, owners of the Pacific Coast League's worst record, claimed three of four games in the series.

Nashville struck early against Jay Jackson, making his first start of the year at Zephyr Field. Josh Prince led off with a single, Scooter Gennett walked and Robinzon Diaz singled to load the bases. After Hunter Morris was retired on a pop out, Khris Davis roped a double off the base of the right field wall to drive in all three runs.

The struggles continued for Jackson, who issued a two-out walk to Blake Lalli before Garner blasted a three-run shot over the left field wall, giving Nashville a 6-0 lead.

New Orleans manufactured a run in the second inning against Sounds starter Jimmy Nelson, capitalizing on back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and plating a run on a ground out by Matt Downs. But the Z's managed just three hits in six innings against Nelson (2-3), who struck out seven and walked three to pick up the victory.

The Z's threatened in the eighth, as Kevin Kouzmanoff came off the bench for a pinch single and Bryan Petersen followed with his second single of the night to lead off the frame, but both runners were stranded in scoring position when Zach Kroenke retired Joe Mahoney on a foul out to end the inning.

Jackson (1-1) allowed an opposite-field home run to Khris Davis in the third, but otherwise settled down after the first-inning woes. The Southern League All-Star took the loss after allowing seven runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked four.

Three Zephyrs relievers combined to pitch four scoreless innings.

The Z's travel to Iowa to open a four-game series against the Cubs on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.